Cancer patients have made a damning assessment of services at Queen’s Hospital and King George rating the trust that runs them the fourth worst in England.

Barking and Dagenham Post: Queen's HospitalQueen's Hospital (Image: Archant)

The Macmillan Cancer Support league table shows dissatisfaction with Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust has increased among sufferers, with the trust placed ninth last year.

It comes after NHS England released its National Cancer Patient Experience Survey on August 30.

Carol Fenton, Macmillan’s general manager in London, said: “It is unacceptable that some cancer patients are being let down by hospitals failing to provide crucial support, alongside medical treatment. There can be no excuses.

“Improvements won’t happen overnight – they take time and rely on continued top-level commitment.”

The survey compares the performance of hospitals across England based on measures of patients’ experiences, such as: whether their diagnosis and treatment options were explained clearly; whether they felt supported and whether they felt they were treated with respect.

The news comes after Queen’s Hospital in Romford received a scathing report on its A&E department in July from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The trust, which was given ratings by 626 cancer sufferers, appeared in the bottom 20 per cent of the results 42 times. It was in the top 20 per cent only once.

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust came in at first place, with the Barts Health NHS Trust second.

No London sites were in the best-performing list.

BHR Trust’s Director of Nursing, Flo Panel-Coates, said: “We are dedicated to improving the experience of our patients.

“This survey – which dates back to Autumn 2012 – shows 84 per cent of oncology patients rated their care as good or excellent and we are working to build on that.

“We are working closely with Macmillan and London Cancer to ensure oncology patients receive the highest levels of care, including spending time with every person to gather a full assessment of their needs.

“We are also involving patients and cancer support groups in plans to improve our services.”